Donald Blome, the United States Ambassador to Pakistan, has launched the commemorative coin marking the 75th anniversary of Pak-US diplomatic relations in a ceremony organised by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).
Taking to X, the central bank wrote: “SBP has issued a commemorative coin of Rs75 in a launch ceremony today to mark 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and the USA.”
In a statement released a day after the ceremony was held in Islamabad, the bank said that the coin signifies the historic Pak-US relationship embedded in democratic values, mutual cooperation and common interests.
Speaking during the ceremony, also attended by Foreign Secretary Syrus Sajjad Qazi and SBP Governor Jameel Ahmad, said the coin represents shared values, ideals, and common ties between the two countries as well as their commitment to a brighter future.
The American envoy also thanked the SBP for the meaningful gesture of issuing the commemorative coin.
Blome said he was confident that new initiatives such as the US-Pakistan Green Alliance would help both countries to jointly address their shared challenges.
Qazi praised the coin and said that the national symbols of Pakistan and the USA highlight the democratic roots of both countries. He also paid tribute to the mutually beneficial relationship between the countries.
Delineating the multidimensional relationship between the two countries, encompassing trade and investment, defense, counter-terrorism, education, energy, climate, and health, the foreign secretary said that the high-level bilateral visits between the two countries have helped to further cement the relationship.
In his address at the ceremony, the SBP governor said the issuance of the commemorative coin is a manifestation of the importance both countries attach to their relationship.
He highlighted the important economic ties between the two nations encompassing trade, foreign direct investments, finance, and remittances, and lauded the deep people-to-people connection between the countries in various walks of life, particularly in the field of education.
Ahmad hoped that given the promising future of the fintech sector in Pakistan and SBP’s multiple initiatives for supporting the same, US fintech firms would explore and invest in the opportunities provided by these emerging businesses.
The coin shall be issued through the exchange counters of SBP Banking Services Corporation from August 25, 2023. It is designed in a round shape milled with serrations on the edge, diameter of 30.00 mm, a weight of 13.5 grams and has Cupro-Nickel metal contents.